Harvest figures 'testament to UK farmers' expertise'

The results of the annual NFU Harvest Survey have been analysed and are now on NFU Online in the Crops channel. Defra’s figures are due tomorrow and will be published on the site as soon as we have them. The figures show grain producers are among the most productive in Europe, with output increasing faster than changes in plantings once again.

Ian Backhouse, chairman of the NFU combinable crops board, believes the figures are testament to the efforts and expertise of UK farmers. He said: "Despite the exceptionally difficult harvest, and losses to yield for later harvested crops, 2008 shows what has been achieved by farmers genuinely responding to markets combined with exceptional growing conditions for cereal crops here and abroad. Crops were protected from the difficult conditions to a great extent, which reaffirms the importance of research and development and science and technology in increasing food production. In the coming months we will view data on any change on planted area for the 2009 harvest with great interest. We believe farmers’ decisions are more likely to reflect the return to difficult economic conditions of 2005 with increasing energy costs and particularly the rising price of fertiliser."

Summary of the NFU harvest survey figures:

• UK wheat yield is expected to be up by 17.1 per cent with production at 17.558 million tonnes, up 32.6 per cent on last year.

• UK spring barley production is estimated up by 27 per cent to 3.481 million tonnes

• Average winter barley yield for the UK was up by an estimated 10.5 per cent. Total UK production was up by 21.5 per cent to 2.841 million tonnes.

• Estimated UK total oilseed rape production in 2008 is 11.1 per cent down from last year at 1.875 million tonnes.